I think what the past 4 years have shown is that it is a lot easier to motivate a group of young men from a point of failure than from a point of success. After losing 1st game to Bama, Clemson became obsessed to come back & beat them. Bama was playing to just do what they did the year before - not the same thing. The following year the rolls were reversed and Bama pounded Clemson. Even though the score did not reflect it, that game was no closer than this year's game in terms of Clemson ever being in it. If Bama doesn't fumble and give them a free FG to start 2nd half and if Hurts doesn't miss an easy TD, Bama wins 31-3. Bama players were hell bent on avenging the previous year's loss. This year, Clemson had that approach all season. They had NFL players turn down big $$ to come back and beat Bama. The really did just want it more this year IMO.
Next year Clemson loses its entire starting defensive line plus its top DL sub, its best LB, its best 2 offensive linemen, its starting TE, its FG kicker, and Hunter Renfrow. They have some great offensive talent and an equally easy schedule so they have a good shot at being back in cfp, but it will not be the same team as this year and it will likely not have the same fire in its belly.